The effort to recall Denver Public Schools board president, Nate Easley, if successful, could cost the school district more than $100,000.

Proponents have about four weeks left to gather more than 5,000 signatures needed to put the recall question on the ballot. If they succeed, state laws dictate that the election would have to take place after the mayoral election in May, but before November when other school-board races will be on the ballot.

That means a special election, with the bill going to Denver taxpayers.

“June is possible, along with a special after May but before November,” said Denver Elections Division spokesman Alton Dillard.

Colorado law dictates that the school district must pay the Elections Division for the election costs, or about $100,000, Dillard said.

For DPS, $100,000 is approximately equal to two teachers’ salaries for a year.

According to statutes, the district also would have to reimburse Easley for campaign costs up to $10,000 if the election fails to recall him.

John McBride, who filed the recall effort, and Democrats for Excellent Neighborhood School Education, who have been supporting the effort, did not return calls for comment. They have accused Easley of having a conflict of interest through his work for the Denver Scholarship Foundation while he sits on the school board. They also disagree with his vote to reform northeast Denver schools.

John Kechriotis, an attorney for DPS, said the district is aware of the costs that may be incurred. He said the timing may be “the worst possible for taxpayer costs.”

After signatures are turned in, the division has about 10 days to review their authenticity and determine whether enough were collected to send the question to voters. Once the division makes a determination, the election must be set for a date after 45 days but before 75 days.

Yesenia Robles is currently a breaking news reporter for The Denver Post. She has covered education, crime and courts, and the northern suburbs. Yesenia was raised in Denver, graduated from CU Boulder, and speaks Spanish. Call her with your story ideas at 303-954-1372.

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